Hours: 30 hours per week full-time (Please note, as part of the Scottish Greens Parliamentary Group, Ariane operates a four-day working week.)
Location: Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh
Working for a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)
This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate, well-organised person with experience in campaign and policy development.
Suitable candidates will share Ariane Burgess MSP's aims and values and want to be a force for positive change for people and the environment in the region and Scotland. They will be keenly interested in environmental and social justice and want to see action on the climate and nature emergencies. They will want to help Ariane make a lasting and positive contribution for her constituents.
In the role you will support Ariane in preparing for parliamentary business in her portfolio areas: Communities, Housing, Land Reform and Rural Affairs.
The successful applicant will understand the Scottish political and parliamentary process, be interested in the Highlands and Islands region, and be passionate about aspects of the public policy landscape of Ariane's portfolios and committee work.
While the post focuses on parliamentary work, at times, your knowledge and skills will be required to input into Ariane's work in her region. In addition to the responsibilities listed below, you may be expected to carry out other reasonable and appropriate duties as required.
MSPs are employers in their own right. Under my employment, you will become part of a team supporting me in carrying out my duties. You'll work in a dynamic and fast paced environment to provide an outstanding service for constituents.
You will work a four-day week in a team of four people and interact with staff from the wider Green Group. You are expected to have a strong collaborative ethos, be willing to share workloads across the team, and be self-motivated and able to work independently.
The Green Group's central team provides additional support and resources for communications and research. My staff team is also supported by wider Scottish Parliament departments, including the Chamber, Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), Legislation, IT and HR.
This description indicates the nature and level of responsibility associated with this job. It is not exhaustive, and the successful candidate will be required to undertake other duties as needed. Training will be provided for aspects of the job, such as parliamentary processes and GDPR, as well as inductions to the Parliament and Green Group.
Responsibilities
* Managing Parliamentary Business
o Ensuring deadlines for Parliamentary Business are met
o Identifying weekly Chamber opportunities, e.g., Topical and Portfolio Questions.
o Debate prep, research and speaking notes
o Drafting written correspondence such as letters, requests for information and parliamentary questions and motions
o Reviewing parliamentary motions
* Gathering and distributing valuable data that supports my activities.
o Keeping your knowledge of policy areas and relevant issues up to date.
o Designing and coordinating campaigns and research projects.
o Obtaining and compiling relevant research documents from external bodies.
o Preparing and delivering regular briefings and updates.
o Analysing, evaluating and interpreting data and statistics.
* Producing materials that effectively convey my aims to the general public and stakeholders
o Keeping up to date with current developments.
o Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.
o Corresponding with constituents and campaign groups.
o Producing high-quality press briefings, speeches, presentations and written materials.
o Identifying potential media opportunities.
o Identifying forthcoming events, promoting my work.
o Drafting statements and press releases where appropriate.
* Carrying out general office administration and acting as front of office for enquiries
o Responding to incoming correspondence professionally and within agreed timescales
o Arranging meetings and briefing papers as required
o Representing on my behalf as and when required
o Ensuring administrative and secretarial support is provided for meetings with stakeholders.
o Maintaining office records and compliance with data protection
About You
Requirements
* An interest in the Scottish political landscape
* Be sympathetic to the aims and objectives of Ariane in carrying out her parliamentary duties
* Be empathetic and able to build and maintain relationships with a variety of people.
* Have a flexible and adaptable approach, be able to use good judgement, work on own initiative, and able to prioritise competing workloads.
* Excellent written, verbal and IT skills with accurate attention to detail
* Capable in monitoring media developments and sourcing information from a range of channels
* The ability to foster good working relationships with confidence to understand how the media, political and policy world operates.
* A quick learner with the ability to multitask and work within tight timescales.
* A proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges.
* Analytical skills with the ability to identify and investigate trends while interpreting data.
* Creative flair and expertise to produce accurate and influential work.
* A good understanding of the workings of the Scottish Parliament and the parliamentary process.
* A good understanding of issues in the Highlands and Islands and other rural regions in Scotland
The Selection Process
For any questions about the role, please get in touch with Ariane by email at ariane.burgess.msp@parliament.scot
To apply, visit the careers website page and click on “apply” to upload your CV and a supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be at most two sides of A4 and describe how you meet the role requirements. It should also include a link to an example of a campaign you have developed.
Applications must include a supporting statement to be considered.
Job share applications will be considered.
Ariane is a Living Wage and Fairer Hours Accredited employer.
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